This Years Fundraiser Should Have Been Called LionFest

 

Considering we are losing Our Lions because there is no money to build them a new enclosure, Why isn't next month's ZooFest fundraiser called LionFest?

Our Lions are set to be rehomed, because their home can not be upgraded to accommodate their aging health needs, because their home is being completely renovated for Pandas.  

Unfortunately for all of us, and especially Our Lions, there is apparently no stopping the Zoo's Plan to bring in Pandas.  So, what could have been an upgrade to their current home, is now building a new home.

So, what's the solution at this point in time?  In my opinion, it's raise money to build Jasiri and Lulu a new home here at Our Zoo.  Their Zoo.

So, Why has the Zoo seemingly not even tried to raise funds for them?

That's a part of this whole situation that has never been addressed.  

So, ZooFest.  Shouldn't an annual fundraiser support causes in need?  Shouldn't they be themed to reflect the most needed?  I have never understood Why that has seemingly never happened when there is no shortage of needs?

I first thought about this when Our Chimpanzees were set to move because their enclosure was deemed too outdated by the AZA.  At the time I learned about this horror, it was a couple months before ZooFest for that year.  That was 2015.  

It really bothered me that not one ZooFest fundraiser in the two years preceding, was ever dedicated to building the Chimps a new home?  In 2013, the theme was "Hard Hats and Tails", noting "a tribute to the many exciting developments at the Zoo".  In 2014, it was "A Night On Enchanted Hill", referring to William Randolph Hearst's estate at Hearst castle.  In 2015, it was "Celebrating Champions", relating to the San Francisco Giants.

I again thought about the annual fundraiser when the Chimps "outdated" enclosure unfortunately became Our Orangutans new <cough> home.  I think about it every year, when no ZooFest is dedicated to building them a new home.  That ancient pit with two tiny concrete islands, is where they have continued to live for the last five years, while every ZooFest since two years before their arrival has never been themed to raise funds for them.  

I'm sorry, maybe the thought process for picking themes is lost on me, because not one of the ZooFest themes I've read about seems to reflect anything to do with raising funds for the Zoo and it's Animals Needs.  

Now, as Our Lions are set to be transferred out, because there is no money to build them a new enclosure, advertising for next month's ZooFest has been continuous in recent weeks. The theme, "Carnaval Under The Canopy".  

There is absolutely NO mention of Our Lions.  

Again I wonder, Why isn't the theme of a fundraising event dedicated to raising funds for a specific need?  In the case of this year in particular, a new home for Our Lions?  

I did a post August 16, titled, "Lion Fundraising That Will Never Happen - An Idea And A Rant".  At the time, just over a month ago, this year's annual Zoo fundraiser had not been announced.  I proposed a Lion specific fundraiser to build Our Lions a new home.  The idea was one I have had a long affinity for, and pitched years ago.  Much like The City's own Hearts, Painted Lion Statues would be the heart of this campaign. Considering there would be an initial cost for the Statue forms themselves, maybe ZooFest can raise money to fund the start of this campaign?  Maybe it would prompt The City to fund a new Lion enclosure (yea, that's coming in my next post!).  Maybe The Zoo could just raise some funds period and show they care to make an effort to raise funds to Keep Our Lions.

Could Our Zoo still come through for Jasiri and Lulu?  

Could this fantasy become reality?  Our Zoo adding a highlighted portion to this years ZooFest that is dedicated to raising funds to build Our Lions a new home here at Our San Francisco Zoo?  Announcing to their Donors that despite previously saying they would have to find them a new home in another accredited facility, that they want to try and raise funds to build them a new enclosure so they can Keep Our Lions here.  

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> Previous Post:

How Things Could Have Been Different For Our Animals With Care, Oversight, & COLA 

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/09/how-things-could-have-been-different.html

> Related Posts:  Use Search tool in upper left corner, keyword "Lions" 

> Comments:  Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted.  I moderate all comments before publishing.  If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it.  Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions

How Things Could Have Been Different For Our Animals With Care, Oversight, & COLA

A day late posting this.  *Yesterday was actually Friday.  

*Yesterday I woke up with thoughts for posts still swirling in my mind.  Since my Zoo visit on Wednesday, when I started to feel a storm brewin' in me to continue fighting for Our Lions. So many words that started forming paragraphs, and titles for posts surfacing out of them.  By yesterday, I felt it was time to start sorting through them, as I was getting overwhelmed and felt a shutdown approaching.  

In the midst of it, I glanced at Messenger and a friend had messaged me, sharing this post from Erie Zoo.  Our Ollie's little brother Otis, who still lives there with their Mama Dasa, had sent a Birthday Greeting to his brother!

Such a Sweet thing for Erie to do.  So far, only Ollie's birth home (Erie), and the Orangutan SSP have been the only ones to acknowledge Ollie's Birthday yesterday.  His current home here in SF has not.

 

Happy 17th Birthday Ollie!

When that message had come through, I had actually just been making notes about Ollie and Amoi's arrival here in 2019. Their heartbreaking and disturbing story here was just beginning as Our Chimpanzees were about to start a new chapter of their life, closing the door on their own upsetting saga.  So, as Our Lions plight is still in limbo, I was thinking about how they are all connected.

Much of this will not be news, but a rehash of how we got to this situation.  The details of these three species journey, must be repeatedly documented, especially for new readers to understand.

The disrespect connects as far back as 1997.  While it was a year to celebrate as Our Zoo welcomed three Lion Cubs from South Africa, two who would become Our Jasiri's Grandparents.  The following month the Zoo was awarded a City bond of $48 million.  In their campaign, the Zoo used the Chimpanzees as the literal poster children to gain votes.  They touted a new enclosure for the Chimps that would take them and the (then) Orangutans, off the thirty+ year old concrete islands of Triple Grotto that they were living on and move them into a new exhibit called The Great Ape Forest.  That project was pushed further and further down the to-do list and by 2007 was never heard about again.  

Zoo Officials chose to prioritize and use those funds and additional multi-millions raised by the Zoological Society, on non-Animal projects, and new exhibits, rather than the Needs of their longest term Great Ape residents.  Research shows that funds continued to be earmarked for the Great Ape Forest over ten years, but so far the trail has not sorted what happened to those funds.

In 2013, when one of our senior Chimpanzees passed away leaving only three left, the Zoo was cautioned by the Chimpanzee SSP.  They were basically told the group size needed to enlarge, but they would not be able to receive additional Chimps because the enclosure was outdated.  They needed to build a new enclosure or rehome the Chimps.  The Zoo quietly chose the later, as they hatched their plan behind closed doors to ship out the Chimps, and bring in Orangutans. In 2015, that plan was foiled by public outrage and the Zoo kept the Chimpanzees and built them a new home.  They took two years to start that project, I believe waiting for another one to pass away so they would have a no choice reason to rehome and continue on with the Orangutan plan.  The Chimps gave the Zoo the middle finger and waited them out, moving into the completed Dayroom the first week of May 2019.  May was a big month, the new Chimp Yard was done and two Orangutans arrived, with no dedicated enclosure.  The Orangutans would go on to randomly rotate into the Chimps new Yard, but otherwise be confined to the caged tubes of the Skytrail as their only outside access space.  Two years later, with no animal feature upgrades to Triple Grotto, Our Orangutans were tossed into that same ancient enclosure, to live on the tiny concrete islands that were deemed unacceptable for Chimpanzees.  How the Orangutan SSP allowed this to happen, I have no idea.

I hate to even say this, because I love Our Orangutans, and I adore my friendship with Amoi, who never fails to blow me kisses, but I wish they never came to Our Zoo.  Theirs lives would have been better some place else.  Watching them multiple times a week in those tubes for two years with their faces pressed against the mesh as they looked down at the Chimpanzees moving freely in their enclosure, was soul crushing.  I'm tearing up as I write this, the vision fresh in my mind.   

The lack of caring, misappropriation of bond funds, priority, and and subsequent lack of post bond fundraising, left Our Chimpanzees living in an ancient enclosure on tiny concrete islands for twenty-two additional years after their needs were probably what got the bond awarded.  

The lack of caring, and sheer selfishness, brought Orangutans here when the former Zoo CEO/Director Tanya Peterson and Board didn't have an appropriate enclosure to house them in, and they never made any attempts to raise funds for them.  Five years later they remain in that same enclosure.  On those same islands.  Ollie and Amoi did not, and do not deserve this.

And Yes, I'm clumping Tanya and the Board together from now on.  Whether they knew what she was doing or not, their lack of monitoring their chosen manager, holds them complicit in all her Zoo related actions.

Note when I use the words lack of caring, that is directed at management, either with a CEO, the Board, and/or The City. This is not reflective of how the Animals have been treated and cared for by Animal Care Staff.  Animal Care Staff goes beyond what obstacles they are given to work with when providing for the Animals in their care.

Last year, Our remaining Chimpanzee from the original three seniors, passed away.  The Zoo, now under a new CEO/Director Cassandra Costello (and same old Board) announced that the three that were brought here to enlarge our troop, to become a family, in what was alleged to be their forever home, would now be rehomed to other Zoos.  Upon their departure, Our Orangutans will move into the Chimpanzees home.  It became very clear that this was always the plan.  I will cry tears of joy seeing the Orangutans out of Triple Grotto, but those tears will be mixed with the unfairness this is to the Chimps.  

There has been no caring by Officials in what either of these species has gone through (Orangutans), or will go through (Chimpanzees).  The three Chimps that came here to what was supposed to be their forever home, do not deserve this.  The Zoo/Board had six years to raise funds to build the Orangutans an enclosure and they didn't.

Chatting with a friend about this whole connection, their response summed it up...

"So this whole thing with the Chimpanzees goes back 11 years. So Tanya was going to send them away and then changed her mind after some pushback by the public, only for the Zoo, under Cassandra, to reverse course a decade later."

Exactly.  

In 2025, a year after the Panda Plan was announced, the Zoo submitted plans for renovating the Lion House and Grottos for Pandas, and for a new enclosure for Lions, since they were being displaced from their home.  A year later, (and under new leadership), in May of this year it was announced that the Zoo planned to rehome Our Lions.  

The official reasoning is the Lion House Grottos are not adequate for aging Lions.  The uneven terrain, and moat access could become a problem.  I agree it could.  That said, this might have been a very different story if Pandas had not come into play.  Although, considering Tanya's lack of caring, and the Board's lack of oversight, who knows what would have happened, and when, but right now, this is happening because in this moment in time, the Zoo needs the Lion House and Grottos cleared to prep for Pandas.  This, like with Our Chimpanzees/Orangutans, is a no money situation.  There is none for another Ape enclosure, and more time sensitive, none for a new enclosure for Our Lions.

The no money situation is not lost on me.  As well, it is certainly not lost on me that when the Pandas were announced two+ years, the Zoo had already known about the Lions future needs.  

Since then, there has been ZERO attempts to raise funds for a Lion specific enclosure.  I can only guess, but it's an educated guess, that all fundraising is centered on Pandas.  Tanya and the Board failed Our Lions by not immediately initiating funding for a new Lion enclosure.  Unfortunately, I have to say the same for current leadership.  It is a huge fail to not even try to raise funds to Keep Our Lions Home.  Jasiri and Lulu do not deserve this.

These evictions are not happening without blame.  Long-term mismanagement by former CEO Tanya Peterson, and the Zoological Society Board, and The City's expectation that Our Zoo should survive on a management fee amount from thirty-three years ago, that has very little value in today's spending power, and when that amount is reportedly eaten up by costs paid back to The City.

They have all played their part.   

And sadly, nothing has seemingly changed in the money department.  

So, had there been Care, Oversight, and Cost Of Living (COLA) increases to the management fee, those extra millions could have greatly helped these three species to each have appropriate homes at Our Zoo, and we wouldn't be losing Our Chimpanzees and Lions now.  

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> Previous Post:

The Anti-Zoo Propaganda Continues - What Our Zoo Board and The City Need To Do

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-anti-zoo-propaganda-continues-what.html

> Related Posts:  Use Search tool in upper left corner, keyword "Lions" , "Chimpanzees" , "Chimps" , "Orangutans"

> Comments:  Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted.  I moderate all comments before publishing.  If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it.  Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions

 

The Anti-Zoo Propaganda Continues - What Our Zoo Board and The City Need To Do

Well, this is my Zoo day, and I've been moved to write this post.  The Zoo opens in twenty minutes and I'm still in bed.  Our Lions deserve this delay in my plans.  I will see them soon.

The In Defense Of Animals post has set-off an onslaught of posts by Animal pages and individuals on social media sites, who have grabbed this and ran with it.  While it irked me to keep seeing this over and over the last two days, it was this one I just saw, that got my tears flowing.

Maybe it was because I read the comments, maybe and more likely it's because I'm fed up with the bullshit that has led to this situation.  It has hurt my soul that Jasiri and Lulu are even in this position, and now seeing this photo (which is actually of Jasiri and his Mama Sukari), splashed all over social media, is making me physically sick.  

Reading judgemental comments from Anti-Zoo people who know nothing about these Lions saddens me.

This whole thing is because Our Zoo was left to squander under the mismanagement and negligence of the San Francisco Zoological Society Board and the (former) CEO/Director Tanya Peterson.  

The Board and Tanya treated Our Zoo like it was their own private club for at least the eighteen years that Peterson was at the helm.  Neither entity made any moves at major fundraising, and never planned for the needs of Our Animals who might need enclosure upgrades due to physical aging, like currently with Our Lions, or in the past due to aging enclosures themselves, like with Our Chimpanzees in 2015.

It was only due to public outrage that Our Chimps got a new home built at Our Zoo.  The Board and Tanya were just fine with sending senior Chimpanzees who lived at Our Zoo for near fifty years, packing from the only home they had ever known.  

This whole thing has also been caused by The City's lack of oversight of a facility it owns, and perpetual negligence to provide Our Zoo that bears it's name, with a Cost of Living increase to the annual management fee.  

There is no way a $4 million a year fee that was instituted thirty-three years ago, would have buying value as the years went on, especially in this town.  Once tech moved in and prices started to skyrocket, that should have signaled a change needed to happen.  Yet nothing changed.  Our Zoo continued on the next twenty-six years barely getting by, and NO ONE CARED.  

Financial breakdown of how the $4 million is distributed, shows most of it gets kicked back to The City.  How is this right?  How is this expected to sustain even basic needs?  

The Lease Agreement from 1993 essentially notes that the Zoological Society will cover all costs of running the Zoo.  For the purpose of this situation, that includes all upgrades to Animal enclosures and new builds.  How is that even possible?  Even with Board Member donations and major Fundraising, there would need to be additional money coming in.

I personally think there's a loophole regarding The City's responsibility to all existing buildings (mostly the WPA era ones) at the time of the lease signing, but I haven't investigated that any further.  

Back to how this affects the current situation.  Our Lions are set to transfer out because bottom line, there is no money to fund a new enclosure for them at Our Zoo.  That is regardless of future aging needs.  The Big Cat yards attached to the Lion House, are slated to be used for Pandas.  

This is not right.  

So, how does this wrong become right?

If The Board and The City are supporting bring in Pandas, they need to support providing for Our Lions on Zoo property.  That means building them a new enclosure.

As I've illustrated, this situation is the direct negligence of the San Francisco Zoological Society Board, and the City of San Francisco.  There is no way to go back in time and rewrite a history that has these entities show Our Zoo the care it needed to thrive into the future to this point in time.  BUT, these entities can do the right thing now.

The San Francisco Zoological Society Board, and the City of San Francisco, need to pony-up, and fund Our Lions a new enclosure on Zoo property.

This is what was originally outlined when news broke of the Lion House being used for Pandas.  

Considering if Our Zoo had been given the Cost of Living increases from 1993 to now, the current management fee would be $9.44 million.  The City has gotten away with basically withholding well over $80 million that could have greatly helped Our Zoo and greatly prevented the position it's now in.  

The position Our Lions are now in.

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> Previous Post:

Anti-Zoo Zealots Use Our Lions To Solicit Donations

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/09/anti-zoo-zealots-use-our-lions-to.html

> Related Posts:  Use Search tool in upper left corner, keyword  "Lions"

> Comments:  Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted.  I moderate all comments before publishing.  If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it.  Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions

 

Anti-Zoo Zealots Use Our Lions To Solicit Donations

Most days I don't set an alarm.  It's starting to seem like every time I do, for some reason I am still awake as time gets closer and closer to the bell.  So this morning, with the two hour window closing in, I opened Facebook and saw this post as the clock neared 4a.  Not what I needed on my mind.  And I certainly didn't want to write another blog post.

Considering I have written extensively about Our Lions eviction, some might say, Why does she care what others put forth about the same?  

I don't care if there's other thoughts and opinions, I care when I feel it comes from a place of bias.  By that, and specific to this group, I mean from people whose goal is rooted solely in an Anti-Zoo position.  While silent in recent months, this group and their allies came out of the woodwork in 2024 when media started exposing the mass mismanagement under former CEO/Director Tanya Peterson. They tried to ignite many stories with sensationalism, in an effort to build an army of supporters with the goal of getting Our Zoo closed.   

It is not my intention to rehash their faults, but to document an outrageous and misleading component to their latest campaign.  My issue in this, is not that there's a suggestion of Sanctuary for Jasiri and Lulu (Zoo name Marvella), I want them to live their lives wherever the best home is, where all their needs can be taken care of.

My issue is that this group is not only using Our Lions to solicit Donations, but for Anti-Zoo campaigns.  They state donations will, "support their work in this issue."   Yet when you click on the link to donate, it takes you to their main donation page, not one specifically for, "this issue".   And seriously, what would that look like anyway?  Are they planning to pay for relocation expenses?

I didn't get to finishing this post until now, nearing midnight (now, the next morning as I fell asleep while proof reading this).  I started it when I woke-up this morning, but then spent the time I had then,  researching the Sanctuary they have named.  Without going into detail, there are seemingly Pro's and Con's to this place.  I will share what I learned with Zoo Staff, in case they are considering this as an option, as something came up in my research, that may not have in theirs.  I dived deeper, and they should do the same, just to have full understanding.

That said, I just went to the post on In Defense Of Animals Facebook, to pull exact wording and screencaps to include here, and apparently they have blocked me.  I guess they didn't like my comment.  I always find it curious when entities can't handle the words of others, if they go against their agendas.

My words spoke truth.  

"Disgusting that IDA is using these Lions to solicit donations for their often misguided and misinformed Anti-Zoo campaigns."

Unfavorable Comment Submitted About New CEO/Director - My Reply

This comment was attached to my previous post.  As I wrote out my reply, it became pretty lengthy.  I replied in brief on that post, but decided to include my reply in full, in a stand-alone post.  I did so, not just because of the length, but because I have heard different opinions, ranging from those who aren't happy, but only have a couple things to note, to those who are on the fence, to those who are optimistic, and then there's me, who has had a lot to say, about a lot of things, both pro and con.  That said, this was the first that was completely unfavorable.  I'm curious how many others share this commenter's assessment?

Of course, most of my words have been expressed in previous posts, but  maybe there will be something new for someone.   As well I apologize to all, for times I digressed from just responding to the comment, to getting more blogg-y with my words.

Anonymous - Costello is a facelift. The aesthetic is slightly different, but the toxicity remains inside. Executive leadership remains inadequate and inefficient in animal welfare and workplace culture. They push all those with knowledge and qualifications out. You need to smile and agree with the bad decisions in order to fail upwards like the executives. Costello’s favorite word to use of late is “transparency” which is interesting considering she operates with just as much insincerity and duplicity as the previous under-qualified CEO. Shame. So many staff members are incredible, and the animals are amazing. It is a shame the zoo is still being poorly managed. No faith left.

@Anonymous -  Thank you for your comment.  I saw the email for moderation as I was closing up for the night.  I waited til morning to publish and reply, as coincidentally, I had just been in a messaging conversation in which the comparison between Cassandra and Tanya came up.  So, your comment was interesting timing, and contained some surprising words, and possibly some insight depending on where your feelings are rooted.  So, very much a welcomed additional take on How Cassandra is doing in her first year.  Your comment is actually the first seemingly completely unfavorable assessment that I've heard.  

Without having met Cassandra, I can only go by what I've seen.  I do not believe that she is anything like Tanya.  Tanya didn't care about Our Animals, Our Zoo, her Staff, or actually doing the job she was tasked with.  Same general lack of care still comes from the Board.  Cassandra seemingly cares, and that's a huge change.  It's a change that I think for the most part has created a better work environment.  I do think that morale and optimism may have possibly taken a bit of a dive among Staff, and certainly even lower with me, with some choices (Chimps and Lions) and direction the Zoo is going (Pandas).  

I fully realize and sympathize with the shit show she walked into, but it's been a year and there have been some huge bad decisions made, and not enough effort in trying to avoid making those decisions.  I speak specifically of evicting Our Chimpanzees and Our Lions.  

I see little things that are meaningful changes and additions, but I can think of more little things that would make a difference that haven't happened.  I know not everything can be fixed overnight, but come on, the perimeter fence thing!  Leaving a fallen fence in the front of the Zoo for six weeks, is just not right.  I don't discredit the different vibe or attention to trying, but for it being a year, I expect more.  I expect multi-tasking to up the level of Our Zoo in every way possible.  I am completely disappointed that one of the first priorities was not fundraising specifically for a new enclosure so we don't lose Our Lions.  Losing Our Chimpanzees and Lions is straight out of Tanya's playbook, and nothing in her plans should have been brought into the fold of new leadership.

I don't like that Our Chimpanzees are on the eviction list, but while I think there are ways to keep both, I think time is an issue for Lions and an easier project in regards to build time and cost, than Chimps and the Triple Grotto rebuild.  

After a year of searching, still no new home for Chimps has been found.  If same happens with Lions, maybe the time will soon come for the Board and City to invest in a new Lion enclosure, and rebuild on the Triple Grotto for Chimpanzees.  The Zoo has said both species will return (if they leave), but by my estimation, that realistically won't be for seven to twelve years.  It's the Board and City's fault Our Zoo sunk so low, they should be investing in these two current Residents now.  We would not be losing Our Chimps and Lions if the City had been paying the Zoo a management fee that included a yearly cost of living increase, and the Board had been appropriately managing Our Zoo.

So, time will tell many things in regard to the level of success Cassandra will have.  To date, I think she is just trying to hold it together.  Her to-do list seemingly looks like this...

1) Keep Zoo financially afloat.

2) Pass Accreditation

3) Bring in Pandas

The later is a sore point with near everyone, but there are two things to consider...

-Cassandra is seemingly mostly forging ahead with this because she has to.  The Board and Mayor are seemingly pushing for it.  As well most Officials think it will Save Our Zoo.

-My concern is after no one caring, and I'm specifically speaking to the Board, to work to Keep Our Chimps and Lions, Animals already living at Our Zoo, funds will have been wasted courting Pandas and none will arrive.  Just because they want them, and may well build for them, doesn't mean China will send them.

Yes, I agree, there is no change in transparency.  It started with the few media mentions alluding to Panda fundraising and timeline.  Then I began to see other topic evasion, with only alluding to the future, without actually divulging anything. Since, I learned that Zoos are basically gag ordered by China not to talk about Panda terms and process, there's nothing that could be done about that.  So, the public isn't going to know anything, until China actually says Yes, and that won't be until an enclosure is completely done, and inspected by Chinese Officials.  That could take years even though anytime Pandas are mentioned, the words read like they are coming soon.  

There are topics that I know not only myself, but others would like to know what the plan is, since there has been no mention of much of anything. So, lack of transparency seems to play a part in that aspect as well.  Holding things close to the vest as the saying goes, does not bode well for a public that has suffered through Tanya's destruction, and doesn't want to guess at what Our Zoo's future looks like.  It has been pointed out to me, that Cassandra has not done any real interviews.  Maybe she doesn't want to answer difficult or controversial questions?  If she does, I have a list!  

Dino's Extended - That Means No Access to WalkAbout+ Continues

Ugh, started my block of days IN for the weekend last night and realized not a thought for the blog!  It was a glorious thing.  It was short lived.

Interesting chain of events this morning.

9a - I was thinking of the date in relation to Dino's.  I didn't get to the Zoo this week, and realized the end of Dino's was Saturday, and that it could be a couple weeks of Dino take-down before I could visit Boomer (the Emu at WalkAbout).

10a - Zoo's email Newsletter with this comes through.

11a - A friend messaged me about this extension of Dino's.  

I'm all for attractions that are going to bring money into the Zoo, but in my opinion it's a problem when regularly included attractions, specifically Animal Enclosures, are closed to regular visitors.   

Before Dino's, I visited Boomer every week.  I hate to pick favorites, but he and Gauhati (One Horned Rhino), are mine.  These Friends have a piece of my heart.  As well, and I hate to even say this (but it is a thought during this restricted access), both are getting up in age and every visit is cherished.

When Dino's first started I planned out paying for it every few weeks for the three months, just so I could visit Boomer.  Now there's four more months?   

I'm sorry, but it's insanity that WalkAbout and Cassowary for that matter will continue to be closed.  Aside from my personal upset about diminished time with Boomer, that's seven months+, of two Animal Enclosures off view, in a place that already has a dwindling collection.

I had sent an email to Marketing suggesting they figure out something along the lines of free entry to those who have already paid, to be able access these Animal Enclosures.

Within today's announcement, it's noted that new Memberships will include tickets to Dino's.  I guess that something, but doesn't address the exclusion to those who are either already Zoo Members or are regular visitors with no Membership.   

Personally, I chose not to renew my Membership this year for a couple reasons.  I can't currently afford a full price Membership, and at the time, I wasn't sure what the future held for Our Zoo.  Since I have EBT, I chose to use the Museums For All discount instead.  My last Membership had a Community Discount that was 50% off Memberships.  That was doable, but they did away with it.  I'm two years from Senior level and next level is useless since I don't need a second card.  In my (selfish?) opinion, they are lacking an affordable level.  Maybe the Senior level should be Seniors and Singles!

Anyway, I got no problem with buying an EBT ticket, but would prefer to have a Membership.  YET, in the current issue with access to Boomer, that would still not help.

Those who have already paid (and repeatedly) for Dino's, visit regularly, and clearly have no need to see Dino's again and again, should be given access to WalkAbout and Cassowary.

Visiting Boomer week before last.   Spent a half hour with him, since it had been a few weeks.   For many years, he is used to seeing me every week, and I think he enjoys it.  No matter where in the enclosure he is, he comes down to me and just hangs out.   We have a routine and it's sad that I don't get to see him weekly.   And he don't understand why that is.

Anyway, this could just be my feelings since I'm so endeared to Boomer, but if you're bothered for some reason as well, and inclined, give a shout out, to the Zoo's... CEO/Director, Cassandra Costello ( cassandrac@sfzoo.org ) VP of Marketing, Paulo Vergara ( paulov@sfzoo.org ) and Director of Communication, Nancy Chan ( nancyc@sfzoo.org )

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> Previous Post:

Bison Paddock Update & Related Bullshit

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/09/bison-paddock-update-related-bullshit.html

> Comments:  Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted.  I moderate all comments before publishing.  If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it.  Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions

 

Bison Paddock Update & Related Bullshit

I just had five days of peace at home.  All I did was rest.  I didn't check any goals off my to-do list.  Each day I had a fleeting thought about whether to write this post.  Before I venture back to the outdoor world, I'm gonna give it a go.

Last Tuesday morning as I drove by the Bison, I stopped and took photos of the main meadow.  This marked the fourth or fifth time I've done this since summer started.  

Last September, two weeks shy of exactly a year ago, I wrote yet another post about the Bison, titled, "Bison Meadow Saga - Fall Update & My New Idea".  It basically gave an updated overview of my most recent efforts to try and get the RecPark to finally fix the main meadow Sprinkler, so the Bison could have appropriate vegetation to graze on.  It also included an idea for removing the patches of toxic weed that has been growing there. The following month, in another post I mentioned that I had shared that idea with the appropriate person on the Zoo Staff, as I figured the RecPark isn't going to do it, maybe the Zoo could make it a Renew the Zoo project.  I also noted I would be pausing my efforts, as I had done all I could do.  I noted that I would still monitor the situation and update in June, after the rainy season that leaves the meadow green, and the start of summer that dries out the meadow and leaves it brown and void of any edible vegetation.

For those who don't know, since I used the word toxic, I want to note that the Bison do not bother with those weeds, so there is no danger to them.  Additionally since edible vegetation is scarce, Zoo Keepers put out additional food to supplement what they don't get from optimum natural grazing behavior.

It's unfortunate that no one thought removing these weeds was beneficial, as now, with the high winds last winter seed must have blown fierce as those weeds have tripled and now cover a majority of the meadow.  Any green that is seen, is those weeds.  It's an illusion.  Not edible vegetation for the Bison. Not green landscape.  That is the brown you see.  Anything edible is dried out from no water.

Taken last Tuesday

This is a good place to note that the purpose of this post, at this time is pure documentation.  I had planned to just update Supervisor Connie Chan, as I asked for her assistance in my efforts last year.  Considering the state of increasing dry in the last five months, I thought she should know, contrary to what the RecPark told us over a year ago, apparently they never fixed the Sprinklers.  I did not plan to blog about Bison any further.  

I did start that update post in June, but after asking the Zoo Staffer what happened with my idea, and being told higher ups deemed the toxic weed removal not something they wanted to pursue, I really just thought, fuck it all. With the exception of a mention in my August 16 post titled, "Long Winded Management and City Officials Bullshit Wrap-Up", about this and RecPark's Sprinkler fail, among other things Bison and Zoo related, I was done.  

Then bullshit happened.

After stopping by the Bison last Tuesday, I went to the Zoo.  I heard a rumor that someone made a call about the Bison, and the Zoo was pinning it on me.  I ran into someone, and straightened that out right quick, but this does need some unpacking.  

First, I don't do anything Anonymously.  For eighteen years of Zoo concerns, my name has been on everything I do.  Second, the call was allegedly asking Why the Bison were in the back enclosure.  This is not to make what I post self-important, but someone there should be following along, and if they had been they should know, my concerns have pretty much exclusively been the Sprinkler issue, and in the last year that toxic weed removal.  I asked a Keeper about the Ladies being in the back after seeing them there several weeks in a row, as I was curious if work was going to be done on the Sprinklers or weeds, which requires access to main meadow.  Other than that I trust what the Keepers do.  Third, there is a handful+ of people on Staff who know how to get a hold of me, someone should have asked if it was me, before labeling it with my name.  

This only other thing about this that I will note is, I find it odd that an inquiry regarding something that is seemingly nothing more than a curiosity, needed to have blame attached to it.  Considering it obviously had to have been anonymous, the Zoo or RecPark could have posted the answer to the question to social media, but instead it was put on me, and addressing a member of the public's concern, whether mine or as it was, someone else's, it was ignored.

Circling back to the RecPark, who's obligation it is to maintain the Bison Paddock as a whole, in previous posts I have noted in addition to their failure regarding the Sprinkler and toxic weeds, that the signage around the enclosure fencing needs replacing.  I'm going to repeat this as in my opinion, the multi-placement of these signs that have previously read, DOGS MUST BE HELD ON LEASH IN THIS AREA OF THE PARK, is important.  There are hardly any of these signs left and all but one that I saw, look like this...

Note that the RecPark is well aware of these concerns, as I send blog posts the Commissioners.

These signs are not for nothing.  Dog owners ignore leash laws, and one got into the back enclosure not long after the arrival of the last group of babie Bison, and one lost it's life.  That alone should be a reason that these signs are up, clearly readable, and placed continuously along the whole perimeter.  That said, I believe the Dog got in through an existing access point.  The day after that tragedy I walked the entire perimeter and was able to stick my foot under the fence in thirty-six places.  These holes either started by Dogs off leash or Coyotes, should have been securely filled by RecPark who is supposed to check daily that the entire fence line is secure.  Some of these holes just had pine cones stuck in them.  Big Fail. 

For that post I was going to do this summer, I made this comparison to what the sign in the front of the main meadow looks like.  The RecPark cares so little, they let the attraction's main signage continue to look like shit with the same graffiti for near a year.  There is no regular attention to it.  It looked the same with some additional graffiti last week.

Additionally, the Bison attract many visitors.  When they are in the back enclosure, they are hard to see.  A park neighbor who I know, also loves the Bison and visits them on her daily walk. She had an idea and contacted RecPark and suggested they put a sign directing visitors around to the west side for viewing.  That was over a year ago.  We both continue to direct people ourselves when we are there.  No reason people shouldn't be able to get the closest look possible of Our Beautiful Ladies.

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> Related Posts:  

September 21, 2025
Bison Meadow Saga - Fall Update & My New Idea

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/09/bison-meadow-saga-fall-update-my-new.html

August 16, 2026
Long Winded Management and City Officials Bullshit Wrap-Up

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/08/long-winded-management-and-city.html

> Content History:  Use Search Box in upper left corner and search "Bison".  There are dozens of posts.

> Comments:  Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted.  I moderate all comments before publishing.  If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it.  Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions